God is our Provider - in every situation, for every situation and through every situation. There is NO blockage, issue or withholding on that side of things. He hasn't waited to long to provide, He provides before we even know about our own need! So let's set this aside and concentrate on what's going on with US, that there appears to be such widespread lackin the lives of so many who serve the Lord. I say appears to be, because although lack in our lives is VERY real to us, from Gods perspective, He knows He has provided and we just are not receiving.
What keeps us from receiving Gods provision and blessing in our lives? Oh, we could delve into faith and trust and sin - but would you allow me to bring a different thought process into the picture? There are a few things God has put on my heart, that you might find helpful for your situations as I have in mine.
God called us to be "set apart" from the world. In it, but not "of" it. We are to be different, peculiar, operating almost - no, that's not right, operating exactly the polar opposite of how the world operates. Trusting in what our eyes do not see yet. Trusting in what our hearts are not certain of - yet.
Are we operating in what can only be called faith? Collectively, churches for the most part aren't behaving very different from worldly activity. I won't go deep here, because that isn't what I'm trying to highlight. I point to the churches only in that they influence the thought patterns and behaviors of the individual.
Individually, are we set apart? Do our actions, words, dress, behavior and lifestyle choices indicate that there is something VERY different about us? Are we operating differently from the ways of this world? Are we holding God in our hearts as Holy, Just, Pure, Perfect and Worthy of ALL Honor and Worship?
Do we REALLY have NOTHING above or even NEXT to Him as the Only True God? I'm not concerned here with tithing, giving, or other "behavior" issues. That's for another place or time. I'm not saying they aren't of importance, only that in this short amount of time I have your attention, I want to focus a very bright spotlight on this one item:
DO WE HAVE OTHER GODS CROWDING THE THRONE OF OUR HEARTS?
Before we can even begin to address any other issues, we MUST have this issue laid to rest. There is no magic action, no perfect behavior, no list of rules, no "TO DO" list from which we can check everything off and reach the goal. The hard work of humbling our hearts before the Living God and in AGREEMENT WITH HIM examining honestly all our thoughts and fears and desires and hopes and CLEANING HOUSE in our hearts, so to speak, is the only true way we can be "set apart" to His will, in the world but not "of" it.
Over the next several weeks I hope you'll join us in a journey of heart examination as individuals in order that when we come together as a Body in our churches, we will be found "peculiar" by the world and our very differences will draw them to be interested and want to know WHY we are different, joyful, peaceful, powerful and SUCCESSFUL even though we are subject to the same hurts, setbacks, pitfalls and issues as everyone else.
Meanwhile:
LIVE DELIBERATELY; LOVE DELIBERATELY
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